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Eyeball Pasta Salad

Spook-tacular Eyeball Pasta Salad for a Halloween Feast

Delight your Halloween guests with Eyeball Pasta Salad, a creepy yet tasty vegetarian dish that's quick to prepare and incredibly customizable.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 200 g rotini or fusilli pasta provides structure; holds dressing well
For the Eyeballs
  • 150 g mini mozzarella balls use fresh for best flavor and texture
  • 1 black olive sliced into rounds; used for pupils
For the Salad
  • cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced; English cucumber recommended
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper diced
  • 50 g black olives sliced; enhances briny flavor
  • 50 g green olives sliced; can be omitted
  • fresh basil chopped, to taste
For the Dressing
  • 3 tbsp olive oil acts as the dressing base
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar provides acidity
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning enhances overall flavor
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • small bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add 200g of pasta, cooking until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cools, prepare mozzarella eyeballs by pressing sliced black olives into each mozzarella ball.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and diced red and yellow bell peppers. Add sliced black and green olives and toss to combine.
  4. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the salad mixture and toss to coat.
  5. Garnish with mozzarella eyeballs and chopped basil just before serving.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For the best texture, ensure pasta is cooked al dente and use fresh mozzarella. Allow the salad to chill to meld flavors before serving.

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